Internal Democratic rules allow bosses to "strike out" other candidates in Anderson's case, which allowed the mayor to get an at-large slot, which bumped out some Edwards delegate candidates in last Saturday's state Democratic convention.

"That's true," said Hatch. "I used some of my strike-outs to make sure we got a Native American (in the delegate pool as well). Maura agreed to use her at-large delegate strikes for Rocky."

The mayor said he regrets the fallout from the process. "Only later did I learn that some people were bumped. I didn't mean to bump anyone. I feel bad about that," he said.

"I just want to make it clear that I have no Rocky agenda here," said Carabello. "I just tried to help out the Kerry campaign, who asked (Hatch) that Rocky go to the convention."

While Edwards has only "suspended" his presidential campaign, it is clear to all that Edwards' delegates "are really Kerry delegates" who will vote for the Massachusetts senator in Boston, Carabello said.

Anderson at first endorsed former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's presidential bid, then after Dean self-destructed in early primaries, endorsed Kerry. Anderson "has never supported John Edwards," Carabello pointed out.

Anderson, who was the Democratic Party's nominee in 1996 in the 2nd Congressional District, has been somewhat estranged from the inner workings of the Utah Democratic Party for some time. His "shadow convention" speech in 2000 indicated part of the problem local Democratic leaders have had with the often maverick mayor.

"I'm proud I addressed the shadow convention" in Los Angeles, Anderson said Wednesday. "I'd address any shadow convention in Boston, if there is one and they asked me. I think some (national Democratic leaders) are not addressing problems like drug abuse and lack of health care, and as Democrats we should address those issues."

"But Rocky wants to be a part of this convention, wants to participate in the (Utah) party. And we welcome that," said Hatch, who as one of three Democrats on the nine-member County Council dominated by Republicans also has to get along with the mayor, who has taken pride in tweaking some GOP politicians' noses in recent years.

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com